U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) will be the keynote speaker at the Iowa Democratic Party’s annual Liberty & Justice Dinner early next month. And like Gov. Josh Shapiro’s recent appearance at the New Hampshire Democratic convention, Fetterman’s visit to Iowa is sure to spark speculation about his presidential aspirations.
Asked about concerns that the Iowa visit might be viewed that way, Fetterman’s campaign officials said they were senator’s candidacy for office in 2022 this prompted Iowa Democrats to send him an invitation.
“In 2022, Senator Fetterman’s campaign slogan was:”“every county, every vote” — the idea is that Democrats must talk to and fight for voters everywhere — even in places where Democrats don’t typically win, Michael Mikail, a spokesman for Fetterman’s campaign, told the Capital-Star by email. “That message resonated with people across the country, which is why Iowa Democrats invited him to speak at their annual Freedom and Justice Dinner.”
Rita Hart, chairwoman of the Iowa Democratic Party, said the group was “excited” to have Fetterman as its speaker. “His well-deserved victory in last year’s Senate race is proof that Democrats can win over voters in both rural and urban areas by sticking to our values.” Hart stated in a press release. “John is the type of authentic, passionate leader that appeals to Iowans, and we look forward to hearing from him in person.”
Fetterman said he “thought Iowans could use a break from the clownish GOP presidential candidates” who were visiting the Hawkeye State in hopes of drumming up support for the party’s nomination.
He said that in addition to appealing to Democrats in rural areas, he would work to boost President Joe Biden’s re-election bid.
“I have always believed that Democrats must make our case to voters in every part of the state and every part of the county. “I ran on the slogan ‘every county, every vote’ and I think that’s how Democrats can continue to win in rural areas, whether it’s Pennsylvania or states like Iowa,” Fetterman said.
Fetterman’s Nov. 4 speech will be his “first major out-of-state event since being elected to the Senate last year,” the Iowa Democratic Party said in a news release.
Fetterman and Shapiro oppose Democratic expectations in the 2022 midterm elections
Fetterman and Shapiro, who defeated Republicans Mehmet Oz and state Sen. Doug Mastriano, respectively, in 2022, did so attracting voters from areas that previously supported former President Donald Trump.
Although Republican presidential candidates emphasized the importance of winning Iowa, the state did not is no longer the first Democratic presidential caucus on the 2024 calendarwhich has become a sore point for Democrats there.
What’s more, Fetterman’s speech in Iowa isn’t the first time the influential Pennsylvania Democrat has headlined this year’s Democratic Party dinner in another state.
On September 30, Shapiro delivered a keynote address to: Democratic Party meeting in New Hampshirewhere the first-term governor’s appearance continued to fuel debate about his Oval Office aspirations, which the governor largely ignored.
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